1. Psycho-Whatare the main cinematictechniquesusedby AlfredHitchcock in “physco” to create
tensionand suspense?How effectivelyare these techniquesused?
One of the maincinematic techniques that is used byAlfred Hitchcock so that tensioncanbe createdis through editing.
Midwaythroughthe film, Hitchcock uses quick fire editinginthe film in
the shower scene, using77 different camera angles and using 50
different cuts. This is highlyeffective as it initiallyshocks the audience
because we don’t expect the maincharacter to die off soearlyintothe
film. The fast editing alsodoesn’t allowthe viewer to come to turns with
what has happenedonthe screen, meaningthat Alfred Hitchcockhas to
slowdown the scene afterwards for the audience to catchup, making
the film more tense andsuspenseful because we want to know who the
killer is, andwhythe person has done what he has done. The slower
cleanupscene allows a reveal at the end ofthe film to become a shock,
whilst alsocreating tensionas Norman bates is shownto be shockedalong withthe audience. The slower clean upscene is
tense as we do not want to Normanbates get caught because ofhis mother’s actions andwe donot want Normanto get in
trouble, while the slower pace shows the audience howNormanis not used to doing thiskindof thing andshows how long
it takes for Normanto clean upmeaning that Normanwas not expectingor used to thiskindof thinghappening. Alfred
Hitchcock also usesediting to create tension whenLeighis trying to escape withthe money. This is shownas a central
image ofa close of Leigh is shown when slicesof audioare playedover, showing how Leighis considering her decision to
run awaywiththe money to be a badone and one that she will regret. This is usedto show the audience that Leighis a
good person despite her decisionto run awaywiththe moneyand to showthat she knows that she has done wrongby
running awaywiththe money. This creates tension as it shows the audience the contrasting thoughts that Leighis having,
leaving the audience not knowingwhether she will decide to goback withthe moneyor steal the moneyuntil she goes to
the bates motel.
In psycho, cinematographyis used byAlfred Hitchcock to create tension. This can
be seenthrough the point of viewshot of the hole inthe wall inNorman’s office.
This creates tensionas it gives the audience a feelingthat something bad is going
to happyto Leigh, and gives the filma sense that she is being spiedon by
Norman. Thisis also effective as it gives the audience the feeling that Normanis
a creepyand unorthodox character andwhat happenedto Leighcouldbe
because of himdespite hisinitial reaction. Cinematographyis alsousedto create
tensionbyusinglow angle shots to showNormanwithhis stuffedbirds. Thisis
usedbyAlfredHitchcock to showthe differences betweenNormanandLeigh
and howNormanis a bit unusual compared to Leighwhoseems to be unnerved
bythe taxidermy. This is especiallyusedwell byHitchcock whenhe reverts back
to Leigh as it shows the audience that Leighdoesnot feel secure when surroundedbythe animals, creatingtensionas it
shows the audience how nightmarish andsinister Norman is andhow Leighfeels whenshe is around him. Cinematography
is also used effectivelybyHitchcock when he uses low angle shots to represent Norman’s house and highangleshots to
represent Leigh’s sister. This creates suspense because the lowangle shots show the superior stature of the house
compared to Leigh’s sister while usinghighangle shots of Leigh’s sister showus the emotions that she feelsbyapproaching
the house ofthe personwho mayhave killedher sister. Furthermore, Hitchcock alsouses shots from the point of view of
Leigh’s sister, whichtherefore shows us that she fells anxious and triggered whenapproaching the house. Thisalsocreates
tensionbecause the audience is able to feel Leigh’s sisters fear
meaningthat the audience fears the worst for Leigh’s sister
especiallysince Norman is nowhere to be found.
In psycho, mise enscene is usedeffectivelybyHitchcock to
create tension. Thiscanbe seenthrough the taxidermyon the
wall of Norman’s office. Foreshadowingis shown byHitchcock
when the beakof the birdis shownina pointyknife like
position directedtowards Leigh’s back. Thiseffectively
foreshadows what is to later happen to Leighin the film, whilst
also giving the audience a sinister vibe because ofhowthe
2. birds look when surroundedbyNorman. It is furtherlyeffective througha secondviewing because the audience is able to
notice howHitchcock tried to showthe audience what wouldhappen latter oninthe film, whichtherefore creates tension
because althoughwe know what happens to Leigh, it metaphoricallybuilds up to the moment throughthe imageryand
symbolismof the point of the beak, meaninga more thrilling impact is made on the audience whenthe scene happens.
Meanwhile, Mise en scene is alsousedeffectivelybyHitchcockbyusinga distant andisolated location for boththe hotel
cabins as well as the house. This creates suspense because the isolationof the area shows the audience that if anything
was to go wrong thenLeighnot be helped. While suspense is alsocreatedbecause of how the police officer is seento be
travelling withLeighuntilshe exchanges her car. This createssuspense because it makesthe audience believe that ifthe
police officer was to findher then she wouldnot be able to get awaywiththe moneywhichthe audience does not want
because the audience are rootingfor her to get awaywiththe crime she has despite knowing that what she has done is
bad. Furthermore, the house usedinthe filmis suspenseful because ofits isolatedlocationas well as the darkness of the
house. The darkness ofthe house withthe use ofthe black and white filter is effective because it gives the audience a
chillingvibe and alsoforeshadows the darker side of the character Norman bates.
In psycho, performance is shownto create tensioninpivotal moments inthe film. This is illustratedinthe film byAnthony
Perkins extraordinaryperformance as Norman bates. Perkins delivers his lines withanawkwardsmile andslight stutter,
showing the audience how he is a weird personfrom the get go. Although, Perkins is at his best as Normanbates when we
see his reactionto seeingLeighin the shower. Perkins initial reaction matches withthe audience’s initial reactionof shock
at the first sight of Leighbeing killed. This createssuspense because the audiences initialthought is that Norman mayhave
killedLeigh because of himspyingon her through the other room. Yet, Perkins reactionmakesthe audience feel otherwise,
and makes the audience curious as to whohas killedLeigh. Meanwhile, the scene createstension because of Perkins
performance, as the clean-upmakes it seem like he maybe covering it upfor someone else, while Perkins performance
shows the audience that this is something that he is not usedor was expecting to happen as showinghowcareful and how
much time he takes to clean upshows us that thisnot something that he wants to do.
